Means for launching ships&#39; boats



1927. 1613,36? Jan 4 .A. VREUGDENHIL MEANS FOR LAUNCHING SHIPS BOATS 6 Sheets-Skeet 1 Filed Feb. 1.1. 1925 8 i t w 6 0 6 Jan 4, 1927.

1,613,367 A. VREUGDENHIL I MEANS FOR LAUNCHI'NG SHIPS BOATS Filed Feb. 11. 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 area!!! Jan. 4

A. VREUGDENHIL MEANS FOR LAUNCHING SHIPS BOATS Filed Feb. 11, 1925 s Sheets-Sheet v:5

Jan. 4, 1927. 1,613,357

A. VREUGDENHIL MEANSFOR LAUVNCVHINGVSHIBS BOATS Filed Feb. 11, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jane 4 9 1,613,367 A. VREUGDENHIL MEANS FOR LAUNQHIN G SHIPS BOATS Filed Feb. 11 l 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 4 1927. 1,613,361

A, VREUGDENHIL MEANS FOR LAUNCHING SHIPS BOATS Filed Feb. 11. 1925 e sheets -sheet e F'IGJI.

Patented Jan; 4, 1927.

UNITED STATES 13.3 PATENT OFFICE.

new VREUGDENHIL, OF AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS.

MEANS non LAUNCHING snrrs BOATS.

Application filed February 11, 1925, Serial No.

This invention relates tomeans for launching ships boats and its principal-object is an improved arrangement whereby the boats can quickly and safely be launched against exceptionally heavy lists. With known varrangements of this kind it'is practically impossible tosafely lower a boat on the high side of a. ship having a "list exceeding 10- 15, especially on board'large passen ger steamers, because the vertical distance" between the. boat deck and the water level is generally so considerable that even with very long davits thedescent of the boat is fouled and often rendered impossible by the boat falling into the open. spaces between sheersplates and promenade-deck rails, by

arm being attached to the upper side of the cradle and 'havinga threaded sleeve engagihg threaded portions of the arm, the said sleeve being provided with a handle whereby it may be rotated to adjust the length of 8,490, and in Great Britain February 15, 1924.

Ion skate-like membersrigidly tied together an spaced apart a distance which'slightly exceeds the length of the boat to be handled, the said skates having a length approximately equal to or slightly exceeding twicethe vertical distance between two promenade-decks and being supported on outwardly inclined ways placed athwart-ships on the boat deck; Each skate-like member of the cradle is provided with a standard for supporting one end of a boat in such a manner that the boat can be readily released from its cradle as soon as it is water-borne, or earlier if desired. In some instances said standards may be in the form of small davits, from which the'boat is suspended through suitable Y releasing gear of any known or approved type.

'- In order that my invention may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art I shall now proceed to describe the same with referenceto the annexed drawing, on which: i Fig. 1 is an elevational end view of a boat supported by a cradle resting on its Ways J and suspended from the tackles of some known typi of quadrant-davits, although any other suitable type of davits may be I used;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of'the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic endview of a cradle with its boat when being lowered over the high side of a passengersteamer having a list of about 45; I

Fig. 4 shows means for locking the cradle the arm from the boat so as to maintain the on its ways;

boat in a horizontal position independently of any list the ship may have, a second arm being provided which is unadjustable in length and which is attached to the keel of the cradle and pivotally attached to thefall by which the boat is lowered.

According to the present. invention theboat is supported by and betweenrigidly interconnected skate-like members forming a cradle in such manner that the boat autothe boat, over the ships side and over any obstacles or impediment-s and holes which; otherwise, would be likely to impair the lowering of the boat." Preferably the said slid- 'ing cradle is composed of two comparatively Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section through the end portion of a boatand along the line VV in Fig. 6; i

Fig. 6 is part of a diagrammatic end View I of the standard shown in Fig. 5, looking from the left;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic sideview of a cradle with standards of the ordinary davittype with a' boat suspended therefrom;

Fig. 8 is a side elevational View of special releasing gear by which the boat may be suspended from the cradle standards, and

Fig. 9 is a front view of said gear;

Fig. 10 shows means for automatically shifting the point of application between the cradle and the tackle after the boat has been launched. I

-Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate two views of a collapsible chock for an. inboard boat. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a life-boat 10 is supported by a sliding cradle composed stays 17 restin skates -11 spaced apart a distance which slightly exceeds the length of theboat which it should accommodate. Normally the skates 11 rest upon outwardly inclined ways '15 having theirlower ends flush with the ships side 16 and their upper ends supported by on the boat deck 18, or by some deckhouslng. The ways 15 are disposed athwart-ships and have the form of channels the bottom of which is fitted with anti-friction'rollers 19 for reducing the triotional resistance when the cradle slides over its way, the upstanding flanges 20 of the channels serving to prevent the skates 11 from lateral displacement.

Normally the cradle is prevented from glidin off its ways by slip-hooks 21 (see Fig. 4 pivoted as at 22 to the outer flanges I 20 of the ways and adapted to engage laterally extending studs 23 on the skates. The slip hooks cooperate with latches 24 lengthwise slidably' secured to the flanges 20 and flexibly coupled through rods 25 with eccentrics 26 mounted on a common shaft 27 in such a manner that when the shaft 27 is turned by means of a suitable handle-(not shown) the slip-hooks 21 of both skates are simultaneously released and the cradle is free to slide down-hill.

The heads of the cradle standards 14 are each provided with a buckle 28 adapted to be engaged by the tackles 29 of ordinary davits-30 of the quadrant type.

One manner in which the boat 10 may be releasably supported by its cradle is shown in Figs. 5 and 6, in which 31 is the stem of the boat and 32 is a heavy stud-bolt slidably passed through a hole near the upper end of the stem which is suitably reinforced by means of a metal strip 33' and by side plates (not shown) Secured to the head 34 of the standard 14 is a horizontal cylindrical bearing block 35 having an open horizontalrecess 36 the width of which corresponds with the diameter of bolt 32..

Loosely mounted on the bearing block 35 is a lock-ring 37 having a cut-away portion 38 and secured to a lever arm 39 by means of which it may be manually turned so as to bringthe passage 38 into register with the recess 36, whereby the bolt 32 may slip out of the head 34.

It should be understood that. the lever 39 near the stem is coupled with the corresponding lever near. the stern-post of the boat and adapted to be locked by means of suitable latches or, the like in the boat in such a manner that, when the said levers are locked, the recess 38 is out of register with recess 36.

When the boat on the high side of a vessel having a heavy list is to be lowered, all that is required is turning shaft 27 after the boat chocks (not shown) have been collapsed and the gripes (not shown) have been released. Rotation of shaft 27 results in retraction of the latches 24 and, consequently,'in unlocking ot'the slip-hooks 21 so that the cradle with the boat supported thereby is free to slide down-hill on it's way 15. The descent of the cradle is controlled by means of the tackles 29 and the davits 30. When the skates 11 project a certain distance from the ships side 16, the cradle will cant so as to continue its downward motion over the said side -(see Fig. 3), and it will be readily seen that owing to the length and to the upwardly curved front portion of the ska es Y outer side of the standards 14, so that there is nothing that can interfere with the proper launching.

If necessary, the cradle may then again be hoisted and locked on its inclined trackways 15, after which a second boat may be hung from it by means of the davits and their tackles.

Fig. 7 diagrammatically illustrates alternative means for suspending the boat from its'cradle. According to this figure, the standards are in the form of small davits 40 mounted on the skates. .Suspended from each of said davits is an elongated link 41 adapted to receive a longitudinally slidable bolt 42 loaded by a spring 43, which tends to force it into engagement with said link. The bolts 42 at either end of the boat a're coupled by a suitable lever system in such a manner that by the operation of a handle in the boat both bolts 42are simultaneously retracted so as to release the links 41.

Itwill be understood, however, that in connection with davits 40 any other type of automatic releasing gear may be employed and that the said davits may be slueing davits, if so desired.

In Figs. 8. and 9, the standard 14 is provided with a heavy, laterally extending stud 44 loosely suspended from which are two straps, viz, an inner strap 45 and an outer strap 46 secured together by a bolt 47. The cheeks of the inner strap-are each provided with a deep, substantially vertical slot 48 for receiving the horizontal branch ofa heavy T 49 from which the boat 10 is suspended. The' cheeks of the outer strap 46 have downwardly projecting extensions 50 which, as well as the walls of the slots 48, serve to guide the horizontal branch of the T.

Strap 46has a recess 51 in its curved portion and passed through thisrece'ss at either side of stud 44 are two levers 52 rotatably mounted on the bolt 47 as a pivot. The lower end of each lever is provided with a hook 53 adapted, when the lever assumes its extreme inner position (as shown in Fig. 8),

to support the horizontal branch of the Tin the slots 48. Both levers 52 are rigidly infrom its cradle.

If desired, a locking pin 56 may be passed through holes in the cheeks of the inner strap 45, said holes registering with holes in the levers 52 in their inward positions. Said locking pin must be retracted before the rope is released from its cleat and should be reinserted before the boat is again hoisted.

If the ship has no appreciable list, the boat may be launched without the assistance of the cradle which then simply remains in its locked position on its ways, and the davit tackles should then directly engage the boat in the usual manner.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 3 of thedrawing is quite suitable for lowering a boat, but when, after launching the boat, the

empty cradle is again to be hoisted, the in convenience is experienced that the cradle has a tendency to cant owing to the fact that it is engaged by the tackle in a point above its centre of gravity. Fig. 10 shows a simple arrangement whereby this incon-- venience is met. The cradle here is fitted with suspension and releasing gear as described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9, but

the straps pivotally mounted on stud 44 are besides provided with 'a finger 57 diametrically opposed to the hook 53. Furthermore, the standard 14 mounted on the skate-like member 11 is on its inboard side provided with a rod 58, which extends from a point near the stud 44 to a point some distance above the said member 11. The running block of the tackle 29 carries a short length of chain 59, the extreme link of which loosely fits around rod 58, and another short length of chain 60, the extreme link of which is adapted to engage the finger 57.

, When lowering. a cradle with a boat suspended thereby, the extreme link of chain 60 is passed around finger 57 as shown in Fig. 10, whereby the tackle 29 engages the cradle substantially as shown in Fig. 3. As soon as the boat is launched, however, the suspension device pivotally mounted on stud 44 will turn through 180?, because the weight of the boat then nolonger holds the center of gravity of said device above its pivot, whereby the extreme link of chain 60 slips off the finger 57 and the chain 59 is free to move to the lower or inward end of rod 58.

Should one set of davits have to handle two boats, viz, an outboard and an inboard boat, I can employ the device described so far without any modification and provide for special collapsible chocks for the inboard boat as shown, by way of example, in Figs.

11 and 12.- Intermediate between the ways 15 for the skates 11 and in parallel relation therewith are arranged two pairs of rails 61, it being understood that Fig. 12 shows only one pair of these rails. Each pair of rails serves to support a boat chock, which comprises a substantially triangular, vertically disposed plate 62 centrally between the railsand supporting a wooden bearing 63 for the lnboard boat 64. Secured along the lower edge of plate 62 is a bottom plate 65 which.

when the chock is in its elevated position as shown in full lines in Fig. 11, engages the bottom sides of rails 61. At its rear or inboard end plate 62 has secured thereto a bearing 66 for a shaft 67, loosely mounted on which are twowheels 68, 69 adapted to travel over the rails 61. At its outboard or, front side, the plate 62 is further provided a small distance above the bottom plate 65 with an open bearing 70 for a second shaft 71 with wheels 72 and 73 running on the rails 61.

Keyed to shaft 67 are two' eccentrics 74,

the tackle of the davits, or bythe cradle, as

the case may be. If now lever 67 is turned through the required distance, the eccentrics 74, 75 will push shaft 71 in the outboard direction until said shaft leaves the open bearing 70 and the chock swings down about shaft 67 into the position shown in dash and with the rods 7 6, 7 7, so that it is forced out of the said recesses 80 whereas the ohock it self continues its falling movement. 1 A length of chain 81 secured at one end to the channel 79 and at its other end to a, rail 61 prevents the channel from gliding too far down-hill.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the shaft 67 also serves'to operate the usual gripe gear. As shown, the gripe 83 is provided at its'free end with an eye engaging a finger on a disc 84 keyed to shaft 67., whereas gripe 82, which -is passedover a guide roller 85 on shaft 71, has an eye which engages a finger 86 secured to shaft 67, the arrangement being so, that when shaft 67 is turned in a direction to force shaft 71 out of its bearing 70, the gripes are released and their said eyes slip off their fingers, whereas rotation of shaft 67 in the opposite direction causes the ripes to be tightened, provided their eyes have beenpassed around their fingers.

As long as the boat rests on its chooks and the gripes are tightened, the bottom platefifi revents undue'vertical motion of the boat.

owever, as there must be some clearance between said bottom plate and the under sides ofthe rails 61, loose wedges may be interposed to take up this clearance, or the rails 61 may be provided with fixed wedge pieces for' receiving the wheels oft-he chock in its utmostin oard position and clamping kind in v I w "is mounted in) asliding ortravellingcradle,

the factthat according to the the bottomplate against the rails.

-The present invention is distinguished from previously-pro sed apparatus of the which the ships boat to be launched by reason of y present invention the cradle is. not provided with wheels and no rails are provided on the 7 side of the ship, the cradle when released sliding freely down over skate-like? members "arranged at right angles to the'axis of the bead which are sufiiciently long toprevent the boat foul1ngthe "1. Means for laiinhing a boat from a ship, a

the side of the ship... To this end the cradle is provided .'-with,

including outwardly inclined ways a part ofthe structure of the ship and'disposed athwart-ships on deck, a cradle composed of comparatively long skatelike members rigidly tied together, standards rigidly secured to the skate-likemembe'rs, means for pendulously suspending the hoatfrom and between said standards out of contact-with the shi so that the boat maintains its sub stantia ly horizontal position during launching irrespective of any list ofthe ship,-'- and means to release the boatfrom the cradle.

2. Means for launching a ships boat comprising outwardly inclined ways on the deck of the ship, skate-like members movable on the ways, standards on the skate-like mem-'- bers,-, studs extending laterally from the standards, inner and outer' straps arranged about the studs andi secured together in spaced relation and formed with vertical slots at their lower ends, keels connected with the ends of the boats having links fastened thereto and receivable within the slots,-

levers arranged in the spaces between the straps and pivoted 'to the straps'fthe lower ends of the levers being adapted to embrace the links, and means for actuating the levers to release the links, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3..Means for launching a ships' boat as claimed in claim 3, wherein fingers are carried with the' straps to point opposite the lower ends of the levers, rods extending-inwardly from the standards, a block and tackle arrangement, and two*comparativel short lengths'of chain carried by the bloc and tackle" arrangement the outer link on one length-of the chain being loosely but permanently engaged with the adjatent rod and theother link: with the other short length of chain being removably engaged with one of the fingers,subst ant ially' as and for the ;pprposes set forth.- E 4. Means for launching aships boat comprising outwardly inclined ways, skate-like members operating thereon, standards c'armeans on the standards for releasably supporting the boat 'betweenthe standards, finers associatedwith the'relea'singmeans, a loekpnd tacklearraiiginefit, andtwo short 'tacklei arran'gement' the outer link on one len h of the chain being permanently and the otheralink.ofthei'einainin chain being releasably engaged with the a jacent' finger.

, In testimony whereof l 'affix my signature.

- "ADRIANUS VREHGDENHIL.

sli ably engaged withthe a'dj ac'ent'rod and forming on i ried by the skate-like members," cooperative lengths 'ofcha'in:carriedwith the block and 

